FAQs

I am interested in rehab therapy for my pet. Can you tell me more about your services? How much can I expect to pay?

Welcome to our website! Here at Rocky Mountain Veterinary Rehabilitation, we offer a wide range of modalities to cater to your pet’s needs. Our services include shockwave therapy, laser treatment, acupuncture, manual therapy, Chinese herbs, and more.

During the initial evaluation, which typically lasts around an hour and a half, we provide a comprehensive physical examination and treatment for your pet. The cost for this session is $300. For a more specific quote tailored to your pet, please fill out our intake form. As part of the evaluation, we may recommend and teach you how to perform exercises with your pet at home.

We understand that every pet is unique.  Some may benefit from having their pet parent present during the examination and treatment, while others may do better without their presence. We always prefer to have you present so that you can witness the progress and understand the treatment process. However, depending on your pet’s needs, we may request that you step out of the room and watch via a baby monitor or Zoom to ensure their focus during certain parts of the visit or exercises.

We are eager to meet with you and discuss how things are going at home, as well as provide recommendations for your pet. At the conclusion of your first visit, we will review our findings with you and present options to address your pet’s needs.

Follow-up appointments, which typically last between 30 to 60 minutes, cost from $95 to $205. Occasionally, we may recommend longer treatment times, and we will discuss the associated costs with you in advance.

Please note that all our services and prices are time-based, ensuring that every appointment includes the modalities we believe will be most effective for your pet’s condition.

We hope this overview clarifies the services we offer. For more detailed information about the different modalities, please click here.

Appointment availability can vary depending on the schedule. In some cases, we may be able to accommodate you within a few days. However, during peak periods, our waitlist may extend to 3-4 weeks. To request an appointment, please fill out our intake form. Once we receive your form, we will collect a scheduling fee equivalent to the full cost of the initial evaluation to confirm and reserve your appointment time. If you have any additional questions or need assistance with scheduling, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for considering our services, and we look forward to assisting you and your pet.

I’ve already taken my pet to a number of specialists with varying results. How do I know if rehabilitation therapy is right for our family?
Feel free to contact us. Oftentimes, we begin our relationship with a brief phone consultation to understand more about your pet and whether our services are a good match for you. We understand how hard it is to feel like you’ve already done so much with insufficient results. But we’ve seen animals transform under our care from being immobile and painful to running again (with gradual, systemic care, of course). We take the time to secure and review your pet’s full veterinary records and contact your specialists to make sure we have a complete picture of what’s happening (and to see what tests have already been run). Overall, we are dedicated to improving your pet’s quality of life whether we’re managing post-surgical care or helping a senior enjoy increased mobility with less pain.
This is my first time working with a rehabilitation therapy office. What does it take to be qualified as a rehabilitation professional?

Animal rehabilitation professionals are veterinarians or (human) physical therapists who complete a year or more of specialized training to become certified in rehabilitation therapy. Additionally, they must submit detailed case reports for review, and participate in a hands-on internship. At RMVR, our staff is led by Dr. Karyn Fein, a veterinarian with 20 years of general and emergency veterinarian experience plus training and certification in rehabilitation from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. Our allied care professionals have also undergone supervised training and/or have earned certifications in their respective fields. Learn more about our team here.

Will you become our new veterinarian?
No. Although our rehabilitation services are led and supervised by a veterinarian, we do not provide general care such as annual exams or vaccinations. While your pet is under our care, we update and consult with your primary and/or specialty veterinarians. And we follow-up: If we haven’t seen you for a while, we may contact your vet to make sure your pet continues to enjoy their quality of life.
My pet is not good at the veterinarian’s office. Can I still bring her to RMVR?
Absolutely. Our staff will work with you to find a way to make your visits comfortable and fun for your pet. Please bring any favorite toys or treats with you. For pets that are nervous about a detailed examination (e.g., being handled/touched for 30-60 minutes), we will modify the evaluation to be as hands-off as possible, and we will focus more on things you can do at home to help your pet. If you are concerned or have any specific questions, please contact us.
How much does rehabilitation therapy cost?

In general, our rates are tied to appointment length. Here are some typical charges:

  • Initial evaluation and treatment with veterinarian ($235 – $300)
  • Follow-up visit with veterinarian ($155 – $205)
  • Shockwave therapy with trained rehabilitation nurse/assistant ($155-205)
  • Rehab treatments with trained rehabilitation nurse/assistant ($95-120)
  • Additional 15 minutes for any of our services ($40)

Please ask about military, senior, and package discounts.

What should I bring with me?

You will likely have filled out our intake form in advance.  If there have been any changes in medications since filling out the form, please bring a list of the new medications with you.  If your pet’s condition is intermittent or evolving (such as a change in their gait or trouble getting up), a brief video taken with your phone will be helpful to have at the first visit.  Otherwise all we need is you and your petsmile

How many visits will my pet need?

The number of visits your pet will require depends on various factors, including the severity of their condition, age, and your dedication to their home exercise program.

For example, a senior pet may receive weekly or monthly treatments ongoing to help maintain/improve quality of life, while a 2 year old cat or dog recovering from surgery may need a handful of visits to get back in action.

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It takes approximately eight weeks of treatment to effectively build strength. To ensure the best possible outcome, we create custom treatment programs tailored to this timeframe.  After 4-8 weeks of treatment, we will discuss longer term goals and adjust our treatment plan accordingly.  These programs consist of a combination of in-office sessions and exercises that can be continued at home.

We prioritize creating a treatment plan that is convenient and effective for both you and your pet. By considering the unique needs of your pet, your family’s availability, and financial considerations, we aim to provide comprehensive care that maximizes your pet’s recovery and well-being.

Do you take pet insurance?

The American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians provides a list of covered services by selected insurance companies (updated July 2019). Please be sure to check your specific policy as we begin working together.

What species do you treat?
In addition to treating dogs and cats, we will treat most anything that can be picked up by one person that is also used to being handled. We have worked with rabbits, ferrets, small rodents, and reptiles including snakes, turtles, and lizards. If tame, we will also see hedgehogs and sugar gliders. If you have a question about a specific species, please call or email us to ask.
I have an agility dog that does double duty on a local farm. Can you help me keep him fit?

Yes, we love to work with animal athletes. We offer cardiovascular training, massage, acupuncture, and a whole group of therapies to boost your pup’s physical and mental abilities when they count the most.  For more info on what we offer for sport dogs, visit our sport dog page.